Massachusetts: Best Winter Recipe Is The Ultimate Comfort Food

The transition to winter on the East Coast can be a huge change. From warmer clothes, to earlier sundowns, you often seek comfort in the winter months. Taste of Home recognized this at the end of last year, publishing the best winter recipe in each state. In Massachusetts, our favorite winter recipe is definitely a comfort food.

Scrolling through the winter dish of choice in all 50 states, the one common theme is that each item selected is a warm food. In fact, many of them are unique twists on stove-top favorites or classics that are baked in a pan. Whether you are in the warmer climate or up north in the frigid cold, the winter season is synonymous with the holiday season. That means more home cooking.

In addition, the Super Bowl is always in the winter, as is New Year's Eve. These are two of the most anticipated get-together days of the year. It is hard not to find a table full of hot food at either occasion.

Considering where you are in the country and what your local cuisine seems to favor, it is interesting to see how the recipes of choice differ depending upon which region you live in. For Massachusetts, the best winter recipe is one that can be made in your kitchen or served fresh in a hot skillet at your local pub.

Specifically, Taste of Home calls out bringing a crockpot of mac and cheese to your winter potluck. Sure, your kids may always prefer the box of mac that uses the purified granular cheese mix. However, if you find the right homemade recipe using elbow macaroni and shredded cheddar, they may change their minds. The key is mixing the proper levels of each ingredient and constantly stirring it over the open flame. From there, you can add your buffalo chicken or seasoned breadcrumbs to bake on top.

If you are more in the mood to try someone else's winter recipe for mac and cheese, there are several restaurants in Massachusetts dedicated to this meal. Mac-N-Choose (multiple locations) is where you will find "mozzarella stick mac and cheese" or a "mac and cheese sandwich." The Mac Bar in Boston has some fancy takes. For example, the mac and cheese topped with hoisin glazed grilled chicken, scallions, and a sunny-side-up egg.

Okay, let me get right to the point. I'm from New Jersey and grew up about twenty miles from Manhattan. So, I've been on the hunt for the perfect bagel ever since I moved to New England 12 years ago, and have been pleasantly surprised to find a few Massachusetts chain restaurants that actually have great bagels.

I'm also always on the run driving to various events or tournaments across the state. Regardless of what county I am in, a good bagel and coffee breakfast is something I am always looking for. Time is usually of the essence so my preference is typically a quick grab-and-go.

I've compiled a short list of bagel chains that really deliver. To clarify, this list excludes any local bakery or privately owned single bagel shop. Many of those remain among my favorite places to grab an everything, extra-toasted, and lightly buttered. In fact, this past weekend I even tripped across one that cooks a "New Jersey Pork Roll" bagel sandwich. The proper term is Taylor Ham, but back to the point.

The bagel restaurants selected here don't have to be specific to Massachusetts only. They do, however have multiple locations throughout the state. So, If I'm en route to an early morning lacrosse tournament in Devens and stop in to grab breakfast at a Newton franchise, I can expect their other location in Milton will have a similar offering, when I'm there for a sunrise hockey game in the winter.

In full transparency, Dunkin' Donuts is not on this list. With all due respect,  it's called Dunkin "Donuts" for a reason. Throw a sausage, egg, and cheese on one of their bagels and I'm OK, but I'm still not going out of my way specifically for their bagels. However, if this were a coffee chain feature, Dunkin' would be standing strong towards the top.

Without further ado, let's hop in the car, roll down Route 3, 24, or take a sharp exit off 93, and pull into a few Massachusetts small chain restaurants that are cooking up some great bagels.

There are five Gunther Tooties locations from Foxborough down to the South Shore. The owner of this chain worked in a New York bagel shop before taking over the first location in Pembroke. Moreover, a few of their spots offer drive-through. The "French Toast" bagel listed under the New York Style portion of the menu is always hard to resist.

Sometimes known as "The Bagel Shop" (like their Chatham location), this is a family operated chain business that has a significant presence in eastern Massachusetts and in Florida. Everything is baked fresh onsite. If you've ever wondered what Chocolate Chip Cookie flavored Iced Coffee takes like, they have 22 different variations here. And it tastes as good as it sounds.

There are five Cafe Fresh Bagel restaurants all within about 30 minutes of each other. This is my bagel breakfast sandwich spot. I  keep it simple when I go there, with a classic: bacon, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel.

There are 14 Bruegger's in Massachusetts. Each one is a combination of its own character and consistent taste. The menu is the same everywhere, which is a good thing because their bagels contiguously deliver an essential bagel flavor whether you are in a Bruegger's on School St. in Boston or stopping in on your way to their Route 3a South Shore location on your way to the highway. Plus, their bagels are relatively small, so you can eat two.